Not making a difference since 2006. Blog motto: Always be sincere whether you mean it or not.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Winter Camp and panem et circenses

There is little to say about the Yale and Missouri tantrums.  One might find it odd that the football players protest whatever spurious controversy has upset the noirs of privilege when the fellows are being horribly used as unpaid labor.

It's not like all the lads are going into the NFL with huge bonuses other than a few of the real stars.  There's a little notoriety now and then graduation and scrambling for a job with no useful skill.

I know little about college or pro football.  Since I hit adolescence, sports has seemed to me something people obsessed about who need something to occupy them in the time they have until death relieves them of ever having to try and think.  Sort of Oprah or the View for guys.

As I went to a Papist institution back in the day, I can attest that college is winter camp with different names for the office of counselor.  Back then, there was some rigor, but I managed to pull out the gentleman's C, well, C-.

I never cease to be amazed at how little the tykes know.  I had an interaction with a proud honors grad from a well regarded state school.  A poli-sci major, they not only had never read de Tocqueville, the name itself drew a blank.*

There is no reason to keep this charade going, but do not waste time calling for reform.  There is too much money percolating up.  The only thing that can grind this to a halt if the obstreperous graduates inability to pay leads to mass pauperism.  It is devoutly to be wished, and may be happening in slow motion.

In fact, I suspect behind calls to make college tuition free and keep the scam going.

There is no education going on in this country.  If you doubt me, ask a recent bachelor to define education and listen to him make something up.  Heck, my fellow citizen, Most of you can't give it.

Now to the case of the Thug woman Click, she has issued an apology.

Yesterday was an historic day at MU—full of emotion and confusion. I have reviewed and reflected upon the video of me that is circulating, and have written this statement to offer both apology and context for my actions. I have reached out to the journalists involved to offer my sincere apologies and to express regret over my actions. I regret the language and strategies I used, and sincerely apologize to the MU campus community, and journalists at large, for my behavior, and also for the way my actions have shifted attention away from the students’ campaign for justice. 
From this experience I have learned about humanity and humility. When I apologized to one of the reporters in a phone call this afternoon, he accepted my apology. I believe he is doing a difficult job, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with him. His dignity also speaks well to the Journalism program at MU. Again, I wish to express my sincere apology for my actions on Carnahan Quad yesterday.”


Actually, it wasn't a bad mea culpa.  Usually, in our country the apology goes along the "if anyone feels offended" line and never admits wrongdoing.  This was not one of them.  Is it sincere or fear for the sinecure?

*I do not know a country where there is in general less intellectual independence and less freedom of discussion than in America... In America the majority builds an impregnable wall around the process of thinking.
...
The Inquisition was never able to prevent the circulation in Spain of books opposed to the religion of the majority. The majestic rule of the majority does better in the United States; it has removed even the thought of publishing them.

     -De Toqueville, 
Democracy in America (1835)